Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Leica L Review
Sigma's new 35mm F1.4 is a compact, fast prime for L-mount, but its autofocus is just average. Is it worth nearly a thousand dollars for that f/1.4 aperture?
Overview
Sigma's back with a new take on a classic. The 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art is built just for mirrorless, so it's smaller and lighter than the old DSLR version. It's a fast prime lens with premium construction, aiming to be your go-to for portraits and low-light shooting on L-mount cameras.
It's not trying to be everything to everyone. The scores show it's a specialist. It's fantastic for portraits and solid for video or street work, but you're not buying this for close-up macro shots. That's just not what this lens does.
Performance
The f/1.4 aperture is the star here, landing in the 87th percentile. That means it's seriously fast, letting in tons of light for creamy bokeh and low-light performance. The bokeh quality is also great at the 79th percentile. But, the autofocus is just average, sitting at the 48th percentile, so it's not the fastest or most reliable for tracking fast action. The optical quality score is surprisingly mid-pack at 32nd percentile, which might mean some compromises in sharpness wide open compared to the very best.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That f/1.4 aperture is fantastic for low light and background blur. 95th
- Compact and lightweight for a fast prime, at just 454g. 88th
- Solid, premium build quality feels great in the hand. 88th
- Excellent bokeh quality makes portraits look really smooth. 84th
Cons
- Autofocus performance is just okay, not class-leading.
- No image stabilization at all, so you need steady hands or a camera with IBIS.
- Optical quality percentile is lower than you might expect for an Art lens.
- Not versatile at all, with a very low macro score.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 35 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Elements | 15 |
| Groups | 11 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.4 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 67 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 300 |
| Max Magnification | 1:5.4 |
Value & Pricing
At $989, this lens isn't cheap. You're paying for that f/1.4 aperture and the Sigma Art build quality. For an L-mount shooter who needs a fast 35mm, it's a strong option. But that price stings a bit when the autofocus and optical scores aren't top-tier. It feels like you're paying a premium for the brand and the aperture more than outright performance.
vs Competition
Look at the Viltrox 35mm f/1.7 if you want to save a lot of cash, though you'll lose some light and maybe build quality. The Panasonic 14-140mm is the polar opposite, a super zoom that's all about versatility but slow and not great in low light. For L-mount specifically, this Sigma sits in a niche. It's more specialized and expensive than a kit zoom, but it offers that classic fast prime look. You have to really want f/1.4 to choose it over more affordable or versatile options.
| Spec | Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Leica L | Meike Meike 55mm F1.4 Standard Aperture APS-C Frame AF | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Canon Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Sirui Sirui Sniper 56mm f/1.2 Autofocus Lens (Sony E, |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35mm | 55mm | 24-70mm | 24mm | 17-70mm | 56mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.4 | f/2.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Canon RF | Sony E Mount | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 646 | 281 | 676 | 269 | 544 | 422 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Zoom | - | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | - |
Verdict
Buy this if you're an L-mount photographer who lives for portraits and low-light work and must have an f/1.4 aperture. It's a quality tool for a specific job. But if you need fast autofocus for sports, do a lot of handheld video, or just want one lens for everything, look at a zoom or a different prime. This is a specialist's lens, not a generalist's.